Post 20 proves to be a little too hospitable to baseball squad from Idaho

Twins win -- visiting Twins, that is

The American Legion Post 20 Twins squared off against the Lewis-Clark Twins of Lewiston, Idaho, in -- you guessed it -- a twin bill. Unfortunately for the home Twins, the Lewis-Clark Twins took both ends of the doubleheader, posting 8-6 and 12-3 wins.

"We're enjoying our trip so far," said Lewis-Clark coach Kevin Matthews. "This is the first time (in Alaska) for myself and for a lot of the kids. We've had some good hospitality -- they're taking care of us really well."

Post 20 was a little too hospitable at points as the Lewis-Clark Twins touched up Post 20 for six runs in the first inning of game one, taking advantage of three Post 20 errors, and built a three-run lead in the third inning of game two on a pair of Post 20 errors.

The hometown Twins chipped away to get themselves back into contention in game one, though, picking up a run in the third inning and four more in the fifth.

Josh Edmondson scored for Post 20 in the third after reaching on a single and advancing to third on back-to-back walks to Eric Newby and Willie Castillo.

Edmondson scored on a hard ground ball to short by Shaun Williams.

Severin Gardner led off the fifth inning with a single and took second on a hard ground out by Edmondson. Castillo drove Gardner home with a single, Williams legged out an infield hit and Paul John Zobeck walked to load the bases for Mike Sauer.

The Post 20 designated hitter smashed a ground ball to the right side of the infield that went between the legs of the Lewis-Clark second baseman, allowing Castillo and Williams to score. Zobeck took third on the play and scored on a single by Nick Christensen.

"We had a little time off and Nick and I had a little batting practice together," Zobeck said.

The effort showed as Christensen went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Zobeck went 2-for-3 -- both doubles -- with an RBI and a run scored. Zobeck was tagged out on a close play at home after doubling in the bottom of the second.

"When I wasn't having success it was because I was early and way out in front of pitches," Zobeck said. "I'm sitting back and seeing the ball a little better."

Post 20 couldn't match Lewis-Clark in game two as the hometown team didn't plate a run until the seventh and final inning. Eric Newby hit a single to plate Aaron Hughes, who was hit by a pitch, and Joey Newby stroked a double to left to score Jason Kornfield, who had walked, and Eric Newby.

The Post 20 Twins did enjoy the opportunity to play against some different competition.

"It's different -- you pick up different things from different teams," Zobeck said. "You get a little more friendly atmosphere -- it seems like the Anchorage teams are always at our throats. It's a little more fun."

Along with the fresh competition, the Post 20 Twins have been trying some people in some different places. Willie Castillo moved over to third from his position at second, leaving that spot open for Eric Newby. Joey Newby played center field in game one, and Shaun Williams played right field in both games.

"We're trying to find the right mix and keep some bats in the lineup," said Post 20 manager Lance Coz.

Castillo called playing third a challenge.

"They call third the hot corner because that's where (the batters) pull the ball," Castillo said. "You don't get them as hard at second, and you don't get them as much, either."

The Post 20 Twins have two more doubleheaders scheduled against Outside teams this week.

Post 20 plays a team from Gresham, Ore., today, with game one starting at 10 a.m. at Coral Seymour Memorial Park and game two to follow at the Soldotna Little League Fields. After a road trip to Anchorage to face Bartlett and West Saturday and Sunday, the Twins will host a team from Klamath Falls, Ore., Monday.